Skip to main content

Short Story - The Footbridge


We were close to the pedestrian bridge when I saw them. 3 boys on the footbridge. It looked like they were in some kind of fight; 2 against one.
Even more terrifying; no street light from the bus stop we came from to the next 3 bus stops. The last time I was robbed at the next bus stop at 6am flashed before my eyes.
Picture from Google

 So, if you avoid them by running at this bus stop, how would you avoid them at the next bus stop, my conscience asked me.
On we walked till we got close to the bridge and they noticed us. One of the boys started walking down. I eagerly pointed them out to my partner.
“We need to go back”
“Why?” he asked.
“It is 3am and those boys on the bridge are coming down to meet us”
“I don’t think so”. This fearless man answered. “Let me find a stick”. He started looking around him for a stick.

I saw the second boy walk to the other end of the bridge and I turned back without waiting for my partner.
“Wait now”. He called after me. “They can’t do anything. I will threaten them”.
“I will shoot your leg” he told them.
I didn’t look back.
I was in a hurry to get to safety. Vehicles passed us with speed; they didn’t send us to walk up and down so early in the morning.
I walked briskly to a security post. The security man was sleeping but I breathed better with the street lights blazing around me.
My partner called after me again.
“Let us go. Them no fit do anything”
I nodded.
A mischievous voice asked in my head;  “where is your faith, Jannie”
“I forgot it at home”. I replied. I was headed to Faith Tabernacle; Headquarters of The Living Faith Church, Worldwide.
Partner joins me and reiterates; “you too dey fear. I dey with you na”
“Didn’t you see those boys”
“Wait first, after we pass that bus stop, how do we waka the rest of the journey?” I wanted to know.
“Na just this place na. People dey everywhere”
“I see”
The two boys got close to us at the security post.

I was surprisingly calm. So calm, that I sat down on a bench.
I was going to church and not even two petty thieves will stop me.
Partner tried to wake up the security man who slept with his face covered.
“Oscar, you dey sleep? Some boys dey that bridge o”
Oscar shook himself awake.
The boys met us with Oscar.
They spoke in Yoruba to Oscar, trying to explain to him why they were on the bridge at 3am in the morning, I am sure.
“Sister, I no be thief o.” One of them told me, after their conversation. “Na me dey tell una make una pass say nothing go happen”.
I rolled my inner eyes.
“Na true I dey talk. The young man continued. “Na me dey catch thief for there”.
“I been tell una make una pass, say nothing go happen”.
I see. That must be why he is carrying a bag big enough for 30 phones.
The two boys left with Oscar. After a couple of seconds, I told my walk-mate.
“Let us go. Let’s follow them.” I have to meet the First Service of the Covenant Day of Marital Breakthrough.
We followed all three men at a distance.
I wondered out loud; “Is it safe for Oscar to leave his post?”
What if those 3 boys overpower him on the bridge?  A voice added.
I remembered the cutlass Oscar picked from the ground when the two boys ran to him and I breathed easier.
“I think he knows one of the boys.”
“Okay”

We passed the footbridge and crossed the expressway. Oscar and the boys climbed the bridge to confront their situation.

I saw a man in shorts crossing alone and stayed close to my friend.
“Are you scared”
“No, Sherlock. It ‘s 3am in the morning!”. I almost screamed at him.
I am never doing this again.
“Calm down. There is security everywhere. Even the Police patrol this area.”
“Which security? Na where you see Police?” I asked looking around.
He pointed at a guy sitting close to the roundabout we crossed to.
“Okay”. I looked scarily at the guy with an object. That must be another machete.
Where were we going again? Ah, to meet the first service bus to Canaanland, Ota. I have to be in that service because 2020 is my YEAR.
Secondly, I will be ministering to some boys at the Special Boys Correctional Home, Oregun later in the day and I need to touch Ota for favour. So, first service in Ota is a must.

We got close to the guy. Close to our destination.
“Oscar, how far?” My friend asked the security guard.
Oscar again? “Do you know this one too?
 “Nooo!” He was emphatic.
“Do you know the last guard at the junction”. I wanted to check something
“Ah! No now.”
“How come you greeted them by their first names.”
Don’t you know some security terms? There is Oscar, Alpha, etc.”
What?!! My inner conscience swooned.
I have been following a …..

The end..
                                                                                                                   


Jenny

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My First Day In Ikoyi Prison

Hello guys, I was led to join the Prison Ministry in my church many moons ago. I had a desire to help people in many ways by providing resources,  my time, etc. Serving there has been a blessing.  Ikoyi Prison Entrance My first experience at Ikoyi Prison, Falomo was enriching. I left home early to avoid the usual Third Mainland Bridge traffic so that I could make it to the Prison and join my team mates on time so I was feeling drowsy. I was surprised when my team mate said I should not worry that the sleep would disappear as soon as we step in. She was right. I forgot the sleep and was emotional all through our stay/service. Before we entered the facility, we were thoroughly searched. Azzin!! Head to toe something. No phones allowed. No sharp objects either. Then I saw the men.  There were so many men. So many hungry and hopeful gazes at us. We were led to the Church, yes, there are two churches and a mosque in that facility. I was impressed an...
Post a Comment
Read more

Customer Service Talk with Jane

  The not so huge secret is out! I have been sharing some business tips on this blog but I am more passionate about Customer Service and I am very vocal about this not because of my years of experience working as a Customer Service Executive but because Nigerian vendors like to test our patience and I have experienced too much of it to ignore. I have also been hosting talks on a Whatsapp group for a while now where I share some tips and my Customer Service experience, answer questions business owners have and how to resolve customer complaints satisfactorily. I am excited to share publicly that I will be hosting another Customer Service Talk on March 6, 2022 by 8pm. Attendance is free and virtual(Google Meet) but you have to register. See link below: https://forms.gle/Jp9cTX6fTLNUzpnf6 See you there!
Post a Comment
Read more

Don't Keep Your Customers Waiting

Feedbacks like the above aren't good for business growth as they discourage other "intending" Customers. You should not keep Customers waiting whether you own a kiosk or a conglomerate.  We have terrible and incompetent policymakers in Nigeria whose policies crumble businesses, but business owners should play their part and ensure they keep their businesses afloat by keeping loyal Customers satisfied.  When you satisfy your clients, they would not leave. They will bring more clients to you saving you the cost budgeted for Advertisement and Promotion. One of the parts you need to play well is to hire willing and loyal staff. I didn't believe tales of few good or employable people until I started helping employers to hire people. The labour market is not encouraging, yes, but you should keep searching. You can use job sites well, give them your requirements and pay the applicable fee needed to get what you want. You can also headhunt after proper due diligence. If you d...
Post a Comment
Read more